29°
On the day that she died, Lauren Johnson-Lavender, 69, shared a Facebook photo of her family's vehicle packed and ready for what appears to be a lengthy trip out of Massachusetts. Nearly 100 people wished her safe travels.
Johnson-Lavender would later be identified by investigators as the victim killed in a crash on I-495 that temporarily shut down a stretch of the interstate.
Johnson-Lavender was a passenger in a Lexus that was stopped in traffic at around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in the westbound lanes when it was rear-ended by a Dodge Ram.
That impact carried the Lexus into the back of a Ford F-150, which was also struck in traffic, while the Dodge went airborne and struck the second-pick-up truck, as well as two other vehicles in the area before coming to rest on its side.
Johnson-Lavender was pronounced dead at the scene. Three others were hospitalized with undisclosed injuries.
The crash led to lengthy lane closures on I-495 that backed up traffic for miles. It remains under investigation.
Charges in the crash were pending.
Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Peabody and receive free news updates.
